Four changes for Gwalia trip

16 Jan 2026

Edinburgh Rugby make four changes for tomorrow’s trip to face Gwalia Lightning at Ystrad Mynach, with Kay Lusby set for her capital debut at number-eight (Saturday 17 January, 1pm kick-off) – live on BBC Wales.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 27: The Edinburgh players huddle during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby Women and Glasgow Warriors Women at the Hive Stadium, on December 27, 2025, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

Heriot’s loose forward Lusby comes into the side as one of three changes in the pack, with Catriona Moody (blindside flanker) and Alison Wilson (loosehead prop) both promoted from the replacements.

In the backs Lucy MacRae starts as the sole personnel change, coming into the side at inside-centre for her second start of the season.

On the match, Head Coach Claire Cruikshank said: “Gwalia have made a red-hot start to the season, so we’ll need to be at our best for the challenge that awaits in Wales.

“Last week’s result didn’t go our way, but we have a lot to be proud of from that performance, and a lot that we can build on going into this match.”

Cruikshank names an unchanged back-three, with Nicole Marlow starting at full-back flanked by wing duo of Cieron Bell and captain Hannah Walker.

MacRae starting at inside-centre sees Rachel Philipps shift one position to outside centre, next to an unchanged half-back pairing of scrum-half Emily Love and fly-half Hannah Ramsay.

Loosehead Wilson is the sole change in the front-row, joining hooker Aila Ronald and tighthead Molly Poolman, with Cruikshank opting for ever-present lock duo of Natasha Logan and Adelle Ferrie.

Lusby and Moody are joined in the back-row by Alex Stewart, who continues to make the capital seven jersey her own.

Edinburgh Rugby side to face Gwalia Lightning at Ystrad Mynach (Saturday 17 January, 1pm kick-off) – live on BBC Wales.

15. Nicole Marlow

14. Cieron Bell
13. Rachel Philipps
12. Lucy MacRae
11. Hannah Walker CAPTAIN

10. Hannah Ramsay
9. Emily Love

1. Alison Wilson
2. Aila Ronald
3. Molly Poolman
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Catriona Moody
7. Alex Stewart
8. Kay Lusby*

Replacements

16. Millie Whitehouse
17. Talei Tawake
18. Faye Sutherland
19. Charlotte Russell
20. Lauryn McGrotty
21. Pip Benson
22. Niamh Waters*
23. Scarlett Haddow

*Edinburgh Rugby debut